Self-conforming, surface - gripping, ready-made knitted slip cover for overstuffed upholstered furniture



June 6, 1944.

J. A. KRAsNov ErAL h 2,350,359

MADE KNITTED -COVER FOR OVERSTUFFED UPHOLSTERED F SURFACE-GRIPPING,READY- URNITURE Filed NOV. 8, 1941 SELF-CONFORMING l0 Sheets-Sheet 1June 6, 1944 J. A. KRAsNov ETAL 2,350,359

SELF-CONFORMING, SURFACE-GRIFFING, READY-MADE KNITTED SLIP-COVER FonovERsTuFFED UPHoLsTERED FURNITURE Filed Nov. 8, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheael' 2l l l N @ma 2,350,359 T TED KRASNOV ET AL FACE- PPI READY-MADE KNI ED ULSTERED FURNITURE Nov. 8, 1941 l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 6, 1944.

SELF-CONFORMI SLIP-COVER FOR OVERST Filed June 6, 1944- J. A. KRAsNov ETAl.V 2,350,359 'SELF-CONFORMING, SURFACE-GRIFFING, READY-MADE KNITTEDSLIP-COVER FOR OVERSTUFFED UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE 8, 1941 l0 Sheets-Sheet6 Filed Nov.

June 6, 1944. J. A. KRAsNov ETAL 2,350,359

SELF-CONFORMING, SURFACE-GRIFFING, READY-MADE KNITTED SLIP-.COVER FOROVERSTUFFED UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE Filed NOV. 8, 1941 lO Sheets-Sheet 7June 6, 1944.

J. A.. KRAsNov ETAL 2,350,359 SELF-CONFORMING, SURFACE-GRIPPING,READY-MADE KNITTED OVERSTUFFED UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE l0 Sheets-Sheet 8SLIP-COVER FOR Filed NOV. 8, 1941 June 6, 1944. 'J A KRASNOV ErAL2,350,359

sELF-coNFoRMING, SURFACE-GRIFFING, READY-MADE KNITTED SLIP-COVER FOROVERSTUFFED UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE Filed Nov. 8, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 9`June 5,' 1944 J. A. KRAsNov x-:TAL l 2,350,359

SELF-CONFORMING, SURFACE-GRIPPIG, READY-MADE KNITTED SLIP-COVER FOROVERSTUFFED UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE Filed NOV. 8, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet'.10

Patented June 6, 1944 SELF- CONFORMING,

READY-MADE KNIT OVERSTUFFED TURE Joseph A. Krasnov,

Kuller, Allentown, Products Company,

TED SLIP COVER FOR UPHOLSTERED FURNI- Melrose Park, and Max M. Pa.,assignors to Sure-Fit Darby,

Pa., a copartnership consisting of Joseph A. Krasnov and Samuel KrasnovApplication November 8, 1941, Serial No. 418,400

9 Claims.

The present application is a continuation, in part, of our applicationSerial Number 400,998, filed July 3, 1941, which issued into Patent No.2,266,678 on December 16, 1941.

The present invention relates to a new and useful slip-cover foroverstuffed upholstered furniture, and relates more particularly to areadymade knitted slip-cover, which will have not only thestretchability of an ordinary knitted slipcover such as that of UnitedStates Patent No. 2,100,868. but which will grip the surface and betterconform to the shape of the overstuied .upholstered furniture, by virtueof a certain peculiar construction of the fabric panels of which theslip-cover is composed, whereby the tendency of the slip-cover to shifton the furniture is much reduced, so that a more perfect fit andappearance is obtained, coupled with a greater adjustability of theslip-cover (to varying sizes and shapes of overstuifed furniture) thanhas been obtainable heretofore by such construction as that of UnitedStates Patent No. 2,100,868.

. The present invention further relates to a new and useful slip-coverfor overstuifed upholstered furniture which will be more durable andmore dependable and secure against failure of the elastic contentthereof.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear more fullyfrom the following description and accompanying drawings, the presentinvention consists of a ready-made knitted slipcover for overstu'edupholstered furniture, cornposed ol knitted fabric panels and sectionsformed of a soft knitted. cotton base which is stretchable and whosethreads and loops donot havea hard but instead a soft and more or lessfuzzy thread surface, and covered-rubber threads inter-knitted with thecotton threads and extending through the fabric in such a way as to pulland contract the fabric in two directions generally transversely of eachother, thereby drawing the fabric together into a 'series of pocket-likeformations which, when partly stretched over an overstuifed upholsteredfurniture, will cause the slip-cover panels to get a firmer grip upon,or better to hug the surface of the furniture and thus prevent slippingo1' sliding of the slip-cover over the furniture.

The present invention ready-made knitted slip-cover for overstuifedupholstered furniture composed of knitted fabric panels and sectionsformed of a knitted cotton base which is stretchable and rubber or otherelastic threads extending through the fabric in such a way as to pulland contract the fabricl in further consists of a Y which will twodirections generally transversely of each other to form pocket-likeformations,- in which an additional textile thread, preferably a thinsmooth thread, parallels the rubber or elastic thread with theparalleling textile thread in a generally loose or limp condition, so asto act as a brake or as a limiting means upon thestretch of the rubberor elastic thread, so 'as to prevent the elastic thread from beingstretched beyond its elastic limit and also to act as a. safety means tokeep the fabric together and to keep the fabric from running orunravelling should a rubber or elastic thread break at any time for anyreason whatsoever.

The present invention further consists of other novel slip-coverfeatures and constructions, all of appear more fully from the followingdescription and accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in theaccompanying drawings, forms thereof which are at present preferred,since the same have been found in practice to give satisfactory andreliable results, although it is to be understood that the variousinstrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variouslyarranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to theprecise arrangement and organization of the instrumentalities as hereinshown and described.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like reference charactersindicate like parts,

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a ready-made knittedslip-cover embodying the present invention shown as applied to anoverstuffed armchair.

Figure 2 represents a bottom perspective view thereof,

Figure 3 represents a fragmentary portion of the under surface of thefabric panels composing the knitted slip-cover of the present invention,in one embodiment thereof; shown approximately on a full-size scale. f

Figure 4 represents a fragmentary portion of the outer surface of thefabric panels composing the knitted slip-cover of the present invention,in one embodiment thereof, namely the embodiment of which Figure 3 showsthe opposite surface; shown approximately on af full-size scale.

' Figure 5 represents a plan view of the fabric structure viewed fromthe outer surface, namely, the surface shown in Figure 4, but shown on amuch enlarged scale, namely, a scale of approximately ten or fourteentimes actual size, and

thread formations are shown as they would apment shown in Figures 3 and4) Figure 6 represents a plan view of the fabric structure viewed fromthe inner surface, namely, the surface shown in Figure 3, but shown on amuch enlarged scale, namely, a scale of approximately ten to fourteentimes actual size, and shown more or less schematically, insofar as thethread formations are shown as they would appear if the fabric werestretched out completely, in both directions, so as to better show theinterlacings of. the cotton and covered-rubber threads; the coursesextending parallel to the greater dimension of this figure and the walesextending parallel to the smaller dimension of this figure (this figurerepresenting the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4).

Figure 5--a represents a plan view, similar to that shown in Figure 5,but on a still further eniarged scale, showing a modified form ofconstruction wherein a relatively thin and smoothsurfaced textile threador yarn, as for instance rayon or Celanese or nylon is extended throughthe fabric alongside the rubber yarn or thread.

Figure/6 6 represents a plan view, similar to that shown in Figure 6,but on a still further enlarged scale, showing the modified form ofconstruction of Figure 5-a, wherein a relatively thin andsmooth-surfaced textile thread or` yarn, as for instance rayon orCelanese or "nylon is extended through the fabric along side the rubb eryarn or thread.

Figure I represents a perspective view of the slip-cover, similar tothat shown in Figure 1, but with the seam lines shown.

Figure represents a perspective View of a detachable skirt which isshown as and applied in Figure?.

Figure 9 represents a perspective view of the slip-cover taken apartinto four parts to show the manner of its formation and assembly; whileFigure 10 represents a perspective view of the cushion part of theslip-cover of the present invention.

Figures 11 and 12 represent cross-sectional views, taken on lines lI-lland l2-|2, respectively, of Figure 7.

Figure 13 represents a perspective view, partly broken away, of adavenport having. mounted thereon a slip-cover embodying the presentinvention. V

Figure 14 represents a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section,showing, on a much enlarged scale, details of the clip-cover shown inFigures 7, 11, 12 and 13, namely the manner in which the tubularanchorage hem is retained when in actual use.

tive view, similar to that shown in Figures 15 and 16, but showing astill further modified form of construction of the anchorage hem.

Flg'ure 18 represents a perspective view of the bottom of an upholsteredarmchair showing a modified form of elastic retainer construction ortensioning construction.

Figure 19 represents a similar perspective viewl Aoi. a (davenport,showing the-same construction as in Figure 18.

Figure 20 represents a perspective view similar to that shown in Figure18,4but showing a modified form of construction,

Figure 15 represents a fragmentary perspective n view, partly insection, of the same detail, on a further enlarged scale, and showndisassociated from the furniture, so as to show more clearly -the mannerof construction.'

Figure 16 represents a fragmentary perspective view, similar ton thatshown in Figure l5, but showing a modified form of construction of theanchorage hem.

Figure l'l represents a fragmentary perspec- Figure 21 represents aperspective view, partly broken away, of one of the elastic tensioningdevices shown in Figures 18, 19 and 20.

Many attempts have been made to obtain a self-conforming ready-madeslip-cover for overstuffed upholstered furniture, which will fit anupholstered armchair, for instance, with some latitude as to shape,contour and dimensions of the chair. U. S. Patents 2,100,868; 2,212,485and 2,098,684'represent some of these efforts. These and other pastefforts have stili left something to be desired in the final appearanceand effectiveness of ready-made slip-covers, particularly in respect totheir ability to stay put on the upholstered furniture, while thefurniture is being actively used.

We have found that by vforming the surface of the fabric panels of aready-made knitted slipcover (particularly those fabric panels mostsubject to be shifted and pulled and dislodged when the upholsteredfurniture encased in such slipcover is in active use) with amultiplicity of selfcontracting pocket-like formations, which thereforepresent, at once, a reduced contact area between the slip-cover panelsand the original surface of the upholstered furniture and at the sametime ktend to grip or hug the original surface of the upholsteredfurniture, the slip-cover better remains put on the upholsteredfurniture against the normal tendency to shift and pull and dislodge theslip-cover by sitting upon it, or leaning on the arms, or getting upfrom the chair or otherwise applying dislodging forces to theslip-cover.

We have found thatv by a combination of a relatively soft knitted cottonbase, and coveredrubber threads interknitted therewith at suitableintervals and so interknitted with the soft knitted cotton threads as tocontract the fabric in two directins, a surface-gripping effect isattained which is-highly effective to keep the slip-cover in place andwhich also materially 'increases the range of size and shape variations,in the upholstered furniture piece, which the same slip-cover cansatisfactorily and adequately "t without any special or individualadjustment (as by taking in or letting out a seam or two) of thereadymade slip-cover;

In carrying out the present invention we may form the fabric panels ofknitted fabric like that shown in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6, which may bemade either on a fiat knitting machine or a circular knitting machinemade` by the-Supreme Knitting Machine Company of Brooklyn, New York;although any other equivalent or suitable knitting machine may be used.

Every sixth or seventh yarn feed is fed or supplied with a cover-rubberthread, while the rest oi' the yam-feeds are fed or supplied withsofttwisted cotton or mercerized cotton threads. In this manner everysixth or seventh or so course is knitted of the covered-rubber yarn.Thus, for instance, on a 32-feed circular knitting machine, 28 of thefeeds may be used, with every seventh normal strains come into `playonly fabric is subjected to more or less and stresses, and which willwhen the fabric is stretched beyond a certain feed supplied with acovered-rubber yarn or l strand and the intervening six feeds (that is,those between two successive rubber feeds) supplied with a softlow-twist cotton yarn or mercerized cotton yarn. Similarly, if everysixth feed is to be rubber, 30 of the feeds may be used; five feedsrubber and twenty-five feeds cotton; with five cotton feedsV interveningsuccessive rubber In the schematic views of Figures Sand 6 and 5-a and5'-b, we have illustrated a seven-to-one cotton and rubber coursearrangement, in which every seventh course is knitted of covered-rubberyarn Il, while the intervening courses are knitted of cotton yarns I2.

As will be seen from Figures 5 and 6 and 5-a and 5 7), every sixthneedle is caused to remain in an inoperative position at the cottonfeeds, but to remain operative at the rubber feeds.v In .this manner,the six cotton threads l2 form-- ing the ,six successive coursesVintervening two successive rubber courses, 'are caused to float acrossand within the rubber loops I3, as for instance at I4. After each rubbercourse, the needles rendered inactive or inoperative at the cottonfeeding points, are staggered in relation ,to each other as shownclearly in Figures 5 and 5-a mid 6 and G-a. This causes certain areas tobe bounded on all sides by rubber, as shown in Figures 5 and 5-a and 6and G-a, so as to cause the rubber in the fabric to contract the fabricin two directions, that is in a direction parallel to the courses andina direction at right angle to the courses. This 2-way contraction ofthe fabric causes pocket-like formations to be formed, each pocket beingbounded by rubber, as indicated particularly in Figures 3 and 4; withthe ridges I5, separating the pockets I6, serving as reduced contactareas between the fabric panels of the slip-cover and the originalfabric surface of the upholstered furniture In the alternative, thesurface shown in Figure 4 may be used as the contact surface, as thisalso presents reduced contact areas; the contact areas here beinghowever the convex protuberances Il shown in Figure 4'.

The fabric panels of which the slip-covers are composed are subject tomany destructive forces and influences, including the increased strainplaced upon the fabric, from time to time, in localized areas when theslip-cover is in use and including the deteriorating effect of washing,laundering and aging of the rubber.

Under these, and other influences, there is a tendency for the rubberthreads to be stretched beyond their elastic limit and thus broken atsome points, and there is also 'a tendency for the rubber to lose someof its strength in spots, after a long period of time due to theinfluence of laundering and also due to aging. To safeguard against thefirst of the above-named influences, we have devised a snubbing meansfor limiting the stretch of the rubber, which snubbing means will berelatively inert or ineie'ctive while the the snubber cess so that therubber point, and which will also come into play should the rubberthread be broken, at any time, these rubber threads or strands toprevent, an actual rupture in the fabric even though the rubber threadsmay break.

This modified form of snubber construction is shown particularly inFigures 5--a and G-a, wherein snubber threads II-s are providedalongside the rubber threads II being fed from separate spools orsources to the feeding stations or points of the knitting machine wherethe rubber threads are fed to the needles, so that these snubbervthreads II-s will go through the fabric just as the rubber thread goesthrough the fabricl and will form the same loops along with the rubberthread.

These snubber threads II-s, which are fed to the knitting machine alongwith the rubber threads II are preferably smooth surfaced threads, asfor instance, rayon yarn, nylon yarn, Celanese yarn, and other similarregenerated cellulose or cellulose ester yarns, or possibly even silkyarn and are preferably thinner or less bulky than the yarns I2 of whichthe main fabric body is composed, so that the snubber yarns will slidefreely through the connecting loops of cotton yarn I2 and will slidesmoothly alongside the rubber threads which they parallel with a minimumof restraining influence to the free stretch and free contraction of therubber threads so long as these rubber threads are stretched andcontracted within the limits set by the snubbing threads II-s.

The snubbing threads ll-s are preferably fed to the knitting machinecomparatively loosely or suiiciently loosely to have the requisitelooseness in the ultimate-fabric. Thus, in the ultimate fabric, when thefabric is not stretched at all, the rubber threads Il will be contractedwhile threads II-s will be lying loosely rubber threads Il with enoughexmay be stretched or extended a substantial amount before theparalleling snubber threads II-s become taut in the fabric.

In Figures 5-a and 6-a, the snubber threads I I-s are indicated in theirtaut condition, namely, when the fabric is stretched.

The main slip-cover is formedpreferably of four sections or four piecesof fabric. one forming the back-encasing portion I8, the other formingthe seat and front portion I9 and the other two forming the left andright arm-encasing side portions 20 and 2l respectively. Each of thesections I8, 20 and 2l is formed by folding the fabric back upon itselfto form a pocket-like upper portion with the outer portion extendingfurther down to encase the corresponding vertical side of theupholstered furniture. Thus, the back-encasing portion I8 is formed byfolding a piece of fabric into rear and front panels 22 and 23,respectively; with the rear panel 22 extending to the lower edge line 24of the furniture and extending beneath the furniture in the form of asecurement tab 25. The side members 20 and 2l, are likewise formed byfolding a piece of the fabric into pocket-like formation, closed at thetop and open at the bottom, and each member composed of an inner panel26 and 21 respectively, and an outer panel 28 and 29, respectively,which latter likewise extend down to the lower furnialongside the tureline 24. where they are folded under-to form securement tabs 3l and 3l,respectively.

The front and rear panels 22 and 23 of the back-encasing portion i8 areseamed along the vertical side-seams 32 and 33, while the side members20 and 2l are seamed along the front vertical seams 34 and 35,respectively, and possibly also along short upper horizontal seams 35and 31, respectively, particularly where the front ends of the arms cometo a more or'less abrupt edge (as distinguished from the rounded uppercorners of the back as shown in the drawings); The front and seatportion l includes the seat panel 33 and the front panel 39 which alsoextends down to the bottom edge 24 of the furniture, where it is foldedinwardly to form a secure, ment tab 40. The four sections I5, I5, 25 and2| are then united along the seaming edges 4Ia and 4I-b, 42-a and 42-b,43-a and 43-b, 44--a and 44-b, 45-a and 45-`b, 45-a and 45-b, 41-a and41-b, 48-a and 48b, 45-a and 45-b, .5G-a and 50-b and 5la and 5l'b, toform the inter-sectional seams 4I, 42, 43, 44, 45, 45, 41, 48, 49, 50and 5I (shown in Figure 7).

Because of the relatively soft character of the basic fabric and the2-way contraction thereof, and the formation of the series ofconcavities on one side and convex protuberances on the other side, theseam lines are substantially obliterated or rendered considerablyobscure in the finished product; the seams being formed by an over-lock`stitch which gathers the two adjacent edges, which gathered edges areformed on the'inside of the slip-cover, where they are not visible.

Tubular hems 52, 53, 54 and 55 are provided along the inner edges of thesecurement tabs 25, 30, 3| and 40, which may be formed of the samefabric as of which the slip-cover is formed, or that may be formed of aseparate piece of woven fabric such as a. piece of strong woven cottonfabric, sewn to the edge of the securement tabs. Through these tubularhems a draw-string or cord 56 is drawn, in series, which can then bedrawn together or tied at one point, as for instance at 51, in order topull the securement tabs firmly together as indicated in Figure 2; thesecurement tabs being sufficiently narrowed just to clear the legs 58,59, 50 and 6| of the furniture.

A detachable skirt 52 may also be provided, in the form of a continuouspiece of fabric, s'hirred along its upper marginal zone, and alsopreferably sewn to or bound by an upper marginal elastic band or cord 53which will cause it to hug the basal portion of the furniture, justabove the lower edge 24 of the furniture to give a finished effect.

The cushion casing 54 is lformed completely to encase the separablecushion of the upholstered furniture with a suitable opening 55 in-therear through which the furniture cushion may be inserted; the cushioncasing being seamed along seams 55, 61 and 5l, and being provided in therear with a tubular hem l! through which a draw-string and tie-stringmay be extended, or the edge of the rear opening 55 may be bound with anelastic band or tape or cord which contracts the opening by reason ofits elasticity.

While in the accompanying drawings, as for instance Figures 5 and S-aand 6 and G-a, two forms of construction are shown, it is to beunderstood that these may be varied both dimensionally and otherwise.Thus, for instance, instead of rendering inactive every sixth needle atthe cotton feed portions (or when the cotton feed reaches it) everyfifth or seventh (or so) needle maybe rendered inactive at this cycle ofoperation. The essential feature of our constructionV is that theelastic course, interspersed at suitable intervals, is caused to stretchacross the sev'- eral intervening courses non-elastic yarn, toconcourses) being staggered.

By the present invention, the resultant ready# made slip-cover not onlyconforms more readily and with greater fidelity tothe varying contour ofthe upholstered furniture, but the panels of the slip-cover tend to gripor hug the surface, of the upholstered furniture and resist dislodgementor shifting" of the slip-cover upon the furniture, while in actual use.

In Figure 5, we have also illustrated, a fragmentary portion of thecovered-rubber yarn Il, on a still further enlarged scale, showing thecentral rubber core portion thereof, and the two oppositely wound outercotton, mercerized or rayon wrapping threads 1I and 12, which encase andcover the inner rubber core 1l.

The inner back-panel 23 and the inner armpanels 25 and 21 are made fullin the zone of their lower edges 45-a, f-b and 41-b, respectively, thatis, they are extended a suitable distance 13 below the level or line 14of the seat 15 of the chair or davenport or sofa. The seat panel 3l ismade similarly full" in the zones of its rear edges 45-b Vand of itsside edges 46a and 41-a, that is, these edge zones are also extended asuitable distance 13 beyond the corresponding horizontal dimensionsofthe seat 15 of the chair, davenport or sofa. Ihe intersectlonal seams45, 45 and 41 are accordingly extensible downwardly between the seat 15and the back 16 and arms 11 and 18, respectively, as shown moreparticularly in Figures 11 and 12. By tucking the excess material 13 inthe marginal zones adjacent the seams 45, 45 and 41, between the rearand side surfaces 15, all and 5|, respectively, of the seat 15 and theclosely adjacent inner surfaces 52, 83 and 84 of the back and arms 15,11 and 13, respectively, the

slip-cover can be drawn and maintained taut over the back and over thearms of the chair, davenport or soft, and over the front thereof and allslack in the exposed portions of the fabric panels can thus be taken up.

By reason of the surface formations and contractions of the fabricpanels of the slip-cover, the tucked-in portions 13 tend better toremain inplace, in actualuse.

Along the lower marginal edges of the slipcover, intermediate thetubular hems 52, 53, 54 and 55, rubber or rubber-containing or otherelastic tapes, band, or cords 35 are allixed, as by over-lock stitches,or the like, thereby causing a tight, elastic encirclement of each ofthe legs 5l, 55, $0 and 5l, and any slight slack in the fabric, isfurther taken up. A

The covered velastic strands or arms may formed with a cord of otherelastic materials, that is other than natural rubber, as for instance,synthetic rubber-like or elastic organic compositions used assubstitutes for rubber or the equivalents of rubber. Therefore, in usingthe term rubber, in the claims, it is to be understood that this term isintended to comprehend equivalent materials such as a syntheticrubberlike elastic compounds and compositions used as substitutes for anequivalent of rubber.

Likewise, in place of the rayon or nylon snubber threads lI-s, a highlymercerzed cotton yarn may bensed, also serving to snub or limit theelastic stretch and to act as a safety thread in relation to the rubberthread I-I throughout the fabric.

In Figures 11 to 17 inclusive, we have shown a further novel feature ofour ready-made selfconforming slip-cover, namely, the tubular hems 85along the sides and rear of the seat panels 38 of the arm chair ordavenport, three forms of construction of which are shown in Figures 15,16 and 17, respectively# By providing the tubular hems 86-1' and 86`lalong the right and left sides of the arms of che chair or davenPOrt,and the tubular hems 86-1) along the back of the chair or -davenport,more or less stiff cardboard tubes 81 may be slipped into these hems,preferably from the rear ends thereof, so as to act as anchorages,better to anchor the excess portions of the slip-cover panels betweenthe cushion or the seat portions 38 of the chair or davenport, and theside-arms and back thereof, in a manner indicated more particularly inFigures v11, 12, 13 and 14. In the case of a davenport, the rear tubularhem 86-b is preferably not made in a continuous fashion, but is split upinto three sections, more or less of equal length, corresponding to thethree cushions customarily used on a davenport. This permits a greateradjustability of the slip-cover.

The tubular hems 86 may be formed in the manner indicated in Figure 15,wherein the raw edges oi the fabric panels in the seams 45, 46 and 41are seamed by a row of overlock stitches 88, and in which a secondaryseam 89 is provided by a row of any suitable stitches such as overlockstitches or plain lock stitches or stretchable zigzag stitches or thelike, paralleling the seam 88,.

at a suitable distance therefrom, so as to form, between the twoparallel rows of stitches 88 and 89, a tubular passageway which may bespread apart to receive the cardboard tubes 81, in the manner shown inFigure I5. In this form of construction, the tubular anchorage hems 86are formed of the same fabric as that of which the corresponding panelsof the slip-cover 'are formed.

In .the form of construction shown in Figure 16, the tubular hem 86 isformed of a separate strip of fabric, which may be a piece of nonknittedfabric, as for instance. a piece of woven muslin or duck, or-it may be apiece of woven or printed tape, of suitable width, or it may be of aseparate piece of knitted fabric, the edges of which overlap and flankthe edges of the fabric panels of the slip-cover, and are sewed theretoby the row of zig-zag stitches or other suitable stitches 90, which maybe formed at the same time when the fabric panels themselves are unitedin the seams or juncture zones 45, 46 and I1.

In Figure 17 a further modied form of construction is shown, in whichthe tubular hem 85 is inside the fabric panels of the slip-cover insteadof being on the outside as in Figure 16. This form of construction maybe made by utilizing a portion of the panels of the slip-cover, as inFigure 15, or by utilizing a separate strip of.

fabric strip of which the tubular hem 85 is formed as well as the edgesof the fabricpanels; the stitches 9| being either overlook' or zig-zagstitches or any other suitable stitches. l

It is to be understood, of course, that the tubular .anchorage hems 8iused in either the davenport slip-covers or arm chair slip-covers may beof any of the forms of construction illustrated in these figures ordescribed in connection therewith.

In the phase of our present invention illustrated particularly inFigures 11 to 17 inclusive, we may also dispense with the insertion ofthe more or less stiff cardboard tubes 81, rand may effect the anchoringof the juncture zones of the panels by means of the fabric hems orstrips 86 which extend substantially beyond the juncture line betweenthe panels and the Slipcover. Thus, the strips 86 may be tucked inbetween the arms and the seat or between the back and the seat orbetween the back and the side wings of a wing-type upholstered chair,and will serve as anchorages because of the fact that they extend beyondthe juncture line of the panels to be anchored. Thus, where, as in somelof theformer constructions, the panels themselves were made excessivein size and such excess was tucked in between the arms and the seat orbetween the back and the seat or between the back and the side wings (asin the case of a wing chair), the anchorage was not as effective,because a pull on the panels would more nearly tend to pull out thetucked-in portions of the panels;

, whereas in the present construction the tendfabric, as in Figure 16.In the form of construe` row of stitches 9i unite both the edges of then ency to dislodge the anchorage is reduced by virtue of the fact thatthe juncture line between the panels is not tucked-in, or at best is notfar in the crease between the parts of the furniture, so that any pullon a panel is distributed partly between the adjoining panel and partlybetween the anchorage member, so that the anchorage member may betterresist ultimate dislodgment..`

The anchorage strips 86, which extend beyond the juncture line ofadjoining panels and which therefore, in effect, are distinct from thepanels themselves (or are functionally separated from the panelsthemselves by the juncture line between the panels), are preferably madetubular or multi-ply, by folding a piece of woven or knitted fabric backupon itself, even though the cardboard tubes be omitted. This is for thepurpose of giving these anchorage strips added bulk or thickness.However, a single thickness of such anchorage strips may also be used.The

edges of the anchorage strips 86 may also be corded.

In Figures 18 to 21 inclusive, a further modified form of constructionis shown, in which the tie cords 56 are replaced by elastic bands 92 and93, which may be elastic tapes, preferably containing Vrubber or otherelastic strands, and having either one end of each tape permanentlyaffixed to the securement tabs 25, 30, 3| or 49, while the other end isdetachably secured to the opposite securement tab, Vor both ends of saidtapes may be detachably secured to opposed securement tabs of theslip-cover. The detachable securement may be effected by fabric grippingclasps 94, of an'y of the well known forms of construction in which apair of hinged jaws 657,752; 718,418; 762,629; 875,418; 876,161;881,372; 1,962,186; 2,014,979; 2,091,420; 2,104,955, or may be of anyother suitable construction. Likewise, in place of such clasps, hooksmay be used on the ends of the elastic tapes or cords 92 and $3, to behooked into suitable hook-receiving members or eyelets or grommets fixedto or in the marginal zone of the securement tabs.

These elastic cords or'tapes 92 and 83 may be affixed either directly tothe marginal zones of the securement tabs, formed as a part of theslipcover "anel fabric, as shown in Fig. 20, or they may be secured toseparate muslin, duck or other moreor less rmer fabrics such as thefabric strips 52, 53, Il and 55, which in this form of construction,maybe single-ply instead of double, as discussed in connection withFigure 2.

By means of the elastic tapes or cords 92 and 93, an additional tensionis placed upon the corresponding panels of the slip-cover, therebytending to maintain them more nearly taut and in place, at all times.These elastic retainer cords or tapes 82 and 93 cooperate moreparticularly with the rubber in the panels of the slip-cover, so that byproperly tensioning the rubber in the slip-coverpanels, by means ofthese rubber-elastic cords or tapes 92 and 93, a proper balance may bemaintainedl which would more securely keep the slip-cover in place,while in actual use.

Insomehforms of construction, the elastic cord 85 around the legs of thefurniture may be omitted.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it istherefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in allrespects as illustrative and `not restrictive, reference being had tothe appended claims rather than to the foregoing de- 40 scription toindicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus described our invention, we hereby claim and desire tosecure by letters Patent, the following:

1. A self-conforming knitted slip-cover comg5 prising a generallyAenvelope-like casing formed at least in part of complete knitted fabricpanels composed of a preponderance of relatively nonelastic textile yarnloops having interspersed therethrough elastic threads tending tocontract said panels, and relatively non-elastic snubber strandsextending through said complete fabric panels limiting the extent towhich said elastic threads may be stretched in said panels when theslip-cover is in use.

2. A self-conforming knitted slip-cover comprising a generallyenvelope-like casing formed atleast in part of complete knitted fabricpanels composed of a ,preponderance of relatively nonelastic textileyarn loops having interspersed therethrough elastic threads tending tocontract said panels, and relatively non-elastic snubber strandsextending through said complete fabric panels limiting the extent towhich said elastic ,threads may be stretched in said panel'svwhen theslip-cover is in use, said snubber strands lying in the fabric in arelatively slack condition alongside the elastic threads when theelasticthreads are more or less contracted in the unstretched condition of thepanel; said slack being taken out of these snubber strands as the panelis stretched.

3. A self-conforming knitted slip-cover comprising a generallyenvelope-like casing formed a,s5o,a5o

Patents Nos. 206,552; 271,100; 367,371; 458,485;

composed of relatively non-elastic textile yarn loops. and loops ofelastic threads interknitted therewith tending to contract said panelsand relatively non-elastic snubber strands extending through saidcomplete fabric panels limiting the extent to which said elastic threadsmay be stretched in said panels when the slip-cover is in 4. Aself-conforming slip-cover yfor furniture comprising a generallyenvelope-like casing generally open at the bottom and closed at the topand including a complete knitted fabric panel composed of apreponderance of relatively non- -elastic textile yarn loops havinginterspersed therethrough elastic loops tending to contract said panel,and snubber strands extendingthrough said complete fabric panel limitingthe extent to which said elastic loops may be stretched in said panelwhen the slip-cover is in use.

5. A self-conforming slip-cover for furniture comprising a generallyenvelope-like casing generally open at the bottom and closed at the topand including a complete knitted fabric panel composed of apreponderance of relatively nonelastic textile yarn loops havinginterspersed therethrough elastic loops tending to contract said panelboth Wale-wise and course-wise, and snubber strands extending throughsaid complete fabric panel limiting the extent to which said elasticloops may be stretched in said panel when the slipcover is in use.

6. A self-conforming knitted slip-cover for furniture, which consists ofan-'encasing cover closed at the top and open at the bottom, formed of acomplete knitted fabric composed of a preponderance of soft cotton yarnloops having interspersed therethrough rubber threads interknittedtherewith and stretched both Wale-wise and course-wise to contract thefabric in two directions so as to form series of concavities on one sideof the slip-cover surface and corresponding protuberances on the otherside of the slip-cover surface, thereby to resist shifting of theslipcover upon the furniture, and relatively nonelastic snubber threadsextending through said complete fabric alongside the rubber threads butin a relatively slack condition when the fabric is contracted.

7. A self-conforming knitted slip-cover for furniture, which consists ofan encasing cover generally closed at the top and open at the bottom,formed at least in part of complete knitted fabric panels composed of apreponderance of soft cotton yarn loops having interspersed therethroughcovered-rubber threads inter-knitted therewith and stretched bothWale-wise and course-wise to contract the fabric in two directions toform reduced surface-contact areas for contact with the surface of thefurniture covered, and relatively non-elastic snu-bber threads extendingthrough saidrcomplete fabric alongside the rubber threads but in arelatively slack condiat leastin part of complete knitted fabric panels1s tion when the fabric is contracted.

8. A self-conforming knitted slip-cover for furniture, which consists ofan encasing cover formed at least in part of complete knitted fabricpanels composed of alternating preponderantgroups of courses of knittedloops of a relatively non-elastic textile thread and minor courses ofknitted loops formed of relatively elastic thread under tension, withthe loops of the relatively non-elastic courses being dropped at spacedintervals and with the thread of the non-elastic courses floated in anunknitted condition at such spaced intervals, through an elastic loop,and

with the iioated portions of one group of relatively nonfelastic coursesbeing staggered in re'- lation to the floated Portions oi adjacentgroups oi relatively non-elastic courses, and relatively non-elasticsnubber threads extending through said complete fabric alongside theelastic threads composed'of alternating Dreponderant groups of coursesof knitted loops of a relatively non-elastic textile thread and minorcourses of knitted loops formed oi' relatively elastic threadalternating 15 with such preponderant groups of courses, with ioops'ofone of thetwo kindsfof courses being dropped at spaced intervals, withlthe thread thereof in the dropped positions floated in an un- 5 knittedcondition through the loops of the other oi' the two kinds of courses,and with the iloated portions of the threads of some of said coursesstaggered in relation to the iioatedvportions of the threads oi' othersof said courses, and relatively l0 non-elastic snubber threads extendingthrough said complete fabric alongside the elastic threads but in arelatively slack condition when the fabric iscontracted. A

- JOSEPH A. KRASNOV;

MAX, M. KULLER.

